David Stephens admits he 'really enjoyed' playing with Stevenage loanee Andy Iro at Barnet

David Stephens admits he really enjoyed playing with Andy Iro at the heart of the Barnet defence but is now focusing on his new central defensive partnership with Chiró N'Toko.

Iro spent just under three months at Underhill on a loan deal from Stevenage but returned to the Boro last week.

“On and off the pitch we formed a good partnership,” Stephens explained. “Andy is a lovely guy but he is quite aggressive on the pitch and I really enjoyed playing with him.

“But that is football and we have to move on. Maybe he will be back here again at some point but I wish him luck.”

Barnet signed Belgian defender N’Toko on Friday and he partnered Stephens in the centre of the Bees defence in the 2-1 win over York City.

On the new centre-back pairing, Stephens said: “The basics stay the same. If he goes for the ball I cover and if I go for the ball he covers. We will have to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses the same as I did with the other guys. But I’m sure we will be alright.”